JS Outdoors

Information for Elk Hunters

Equipment

Archery (Bow/Arrows/Broadheads/Sights)

    1. Bow. Any modern compound bow with a draw weight of 50lbs. or higher is capable of taking an elk. Your draw weight should be set at the highest weight you can pull easily from a sitting or kneeling position. Adrenaline will not help you draw your bow; it makes it more difficult. If you are traveling by air, please get a good case that securely holds you bow in place. We have an assortment of tuning tools, nocks, nock pliers, etc. If you are shooting a peep with tubing, bring extra tubing. Some folks bring a spare release and leave it in their packs. If you are shooting a string loop, bring extras and know how to put them on. Buy a bow square and once your bow is shooting your broadheads well, measure your nock point in relation to your riser as well as your rest height in relation to your riser. That way if something gets out of alignment we have a place to start. Please be familiar with your bow. Do not show up with a bow you have not tuned to shoot your broadheads. Please practice a lot with your broadheads. The kill zone on an elk is large; you should be able to hit a paper plate at 40 yards consistently. The flatter your bow shoots, the better. Most times you will be shooting through small holes in the timber, under limbs, around trees, etc. If you can, practice doing these things from kneeling positions. Many times you will be hiding from the elk, which is hard to do standing up.
    2. Arrows. Arrows should be spined correctly. If you do not know what this means, visit an archery specialty shop and have them help you choose the correct arrow for your draw length and draw weight. You will pay more for your arrows than at a discount store but it will be money well spent when shooting your broadheads. Aluminum or carbon arrows are fine. Carbons will fly flatter, but shoot what you are comfortable shooting, and works the best with your set-up.
    3. Broadheads. Elk are tough animals. Please spend the time required to shoot a fixed blade broadhead. Use the same grain weight broadhead as your practice points. Yes, elk can be killed with mechanicals but too often they fail when hitting bone or achieve little penetration. Cut on impact type broadheads are ideal, but chisel points work equally as well. They leave better blood trails and do more internal damage on shots that don’t pass through. Spend the time to find which fixed blade head shoots the best. When putting broadheads on your arrows, spin test them to make sure your insert and broadhead are aligned with the shaft of the arrow. Manufacturing defects in the broadhead, like a slight bend, or improper insert alignment will make your arrow wobble in flight. If when pulling your arrow out of the target you notice it is leaning, i.e. not pointing straight back to where you shot it from, your bow is not tuned properly, your broadheads are not aligned, or you are torquing the bow. If you are having problems visit your archery shop and they will be glad to help you resolve this. You can also have them make a set of arrows with broadheads pre-installed and aligned. Buy an extra set of blades if your broadheads have replaceable blades and sharpen them. Even out of the box they are not sharp enough; if you aren’t scared of them they need to be sharper.
    4. Sights. During the archery season most opportunities will come in low light conditions. Fiber optic sights work best and set them up within your comfortable range. If you can’t hit a paper plate at 40 yards don’t put a 40-yard pin on your bow. Very rarely will you encounter a shot over 45 yards. Yes, you may be accurate out to 70 yards but your arrow will more than likely encounter something other than an elk in flight at that distance such as trees, wind, etc. and you will miss your shot, or worse, you will wound an elk. Remember you archery hunt because of the challenges presented in getting up close and personal. Flinging arrows at 70 and 80 yards until something falls is not hunting. Too much can go wrong while the arrow is in the air; this is irresponsible and unethical. You will shoot when you arrive to make sure everything is in order.

     

Rifle (Gun/Scope/Ammunition)

    1. Gun. (These are recommendations; please ask if you have any concerns or questions.) With a properly placed bullet, any center fire firearm can kill an elk. Your goal however, is to quickly and humanely kill the elk. Bigger faster bullets perform this task more efficiently and give you more room for error. With that said, shoot the largest caliber rifle you can accurately shoot. That means if you flinch off the scope when dry firing, you are going to have a heck of a time shooting an elk when your adrenaline is pumping and you’re out of breath after hiking straight uphill in order to get a shot. Preferable are a .30 caliber + rifle, like the .308, 30-06, .300 win mag., .338 win mag., etc.
    2. Scope. A cheap rifle with a quality scope will outperform an expensive rifle with a cheap scope every time. Spend the money on optics. Variable scopes are fine; just make sure everyday it is turned down to the lowest setting. If you need to turn it up you will have time to do so, if you have to turn it down in order to make the shot, odds are you won’t have time to do so. Scope caps are fine if it is raining or snowing when you get out of the truck, they usually mess up quick opportunities by accidentally getting closed, or if you forget they are closed. If it is sunny, take them off.
    3. Ammunition. Use the best premium bullet your gun shoots well, no ballistic tips. Penetration and a good exit wound are keys to a quick kill and a good blood trail. Bullets like the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Nosler Partition, Swift A Frame, Accubond, etc., are all good. Most rifles sighted in at 1” to 1.5” high at 100 yards will be fine. Honestly know your limitations; be realistic with your guide. In addition, you must be comfortable with your shot distance. Your guide can always try to get you closer, but that doesn’t mean that they can move you some yardage. Shooting from a bench rest at 300 yards is different than hunting. Most opportunities will be less than 200 yards. After your rifle is sighted in, spend some time knowing your group size at 150 yards and 200 yards. Your max range is where you can hit a paper plate 5 out of 5 shots from shooting sticks, not from a bench. Your guide will carry either his or your shooting sticks and you are strongly encouraged to take any shot from them or other suitable rest. You will shoot your gun upon arrival to ensure nothing was damaged during transit. Bring 2 boxes of ammunition with you. If we have to re-sight your rifle, the likelihood of finding the exact ammunition within 2 hours of camp is near impossible.
    4. Muzzleloader. Inline muzzleloaders, scopes and sabots are almost all legal in NM (inquire with JS Outdoors prior to going on hunt about the legality of your muzzleloader and ammunition choice). However, don’t bother with ballistic tip bullets -- they just don’t penetrate. Most advice here is the same as for rifle with the following exceptions. Sight in dead on at 100 yards and don’t plan on shooting over 150 yards. As with rifle, know your limitations. Shoot the best set up (most accurate bullet/powder grain combo) you can, and bring at least 3 quick loads and enough supplies to re-sight your muzzleloader if necessary. When you arrive in NM, you will have an opportunity to shoot your weapon.

Clothing
During the archery hunts, you will likely encounter rain and temperatures from the high teens in the morning to 85+ during the day. Bring clothing you can layer and good 100% waterproof raingear, preferably a jacket and pants. It may snow during the archery hunt, but it is unlikely. During the muzzleloader and rifle seasons, you will see anything from 0 to 80 degrees and rain, sleet, snow or hail, maybe all in the same day depending on the time of year and elevation you’re hunting. Be prepared; it would be a shame if you had to stay behind because you forgot rain gear or gloves. Make sure your boots have been well broken in. There are some days when you will move all day long and some days when you will sit. Get boots you can add insulation to by wearing heavyweight socks. If you get blisters were 2 pairs of lighter socks, you may also want to bring some trimable moleskin. We hunt the wind but if you want to bring your Scentlock, do so. Wash your clothes in scent-free soap. Just about any camouflage pattern is fine; hunter orange is not required in NM for elk hunting. Bring a small day pack. It is great for carrying an extra jacket, lunch, water etc. If you can find one that will hold a water bladder like a Camelback you will drink more which is the key to fending off altitude sickness.

Personal Items.
Medications, scent-free deodorant, toothbrush toothpaste, etc. Please inform your Outfitter/Guide on any and all medical/dietary requirements.

Physical Condition
Things That Will Help You
The best thing you can do to prepare for your hunt is not to watch elk videos and practice your calling – it is to be in the best shape of your life. You will hunt from 7000 to 12000 feet in elevation. If you are coming from less than 6,000 feet in elevation you will have ½ as many red blood cells it takes to breath normally. You cannot prepare for the elevation, unless you arrive 1 month early and spend it in the mountains. What you can do is speed your recovery time by getting your muscles in shape. If your body has to carry 30 extra pounds around in the woods you will feel it. This doesn’t mean you won’t get an elk but your huntable area increases exponentially the further you can go.

Pre-hunt Exercise
Do what you can. At a minimum be able to hike at least 1.5 miles at a moderate pace (35 to 40 min) with a 25 lb pack. More is better in this case and your body will thank you when you get here if you are in great shape.

Hunting

How we hunt
A typical day of hunting consists of 2 hunts - a morning and an afternoon hunt. You will get up, eat breakfast and go out for the morning hunt which starts one half hour before sunrise. When your guide determines the elk are either bedded down or not in the area, you will return for lunch and a nap in preparation for the afternoon hunt. The afternoon hunt ends at sunset. It is preferred not to hunt the elk in their bedding areas during the day. They are too hard to sneak up on and if they are pressured in their bedding areas, they will leave and not return making them harder to find. There are occasions where we will stay out all day. Please communicate with your guide if you have questions about doing so.

Wounding policy
If you shoot and hit an elk, every attempt will be made to recover that animal. If you draw blood and are unwilling to make every attempt to recover that animal your hunt is done. If you knick an elk and your guide and/or the outfitter determines the wound was not lethal, you may continue. Gut shot animals will die; if you gut shoot one and the animal is unpressured it can usually be recovered the next day. If the animal is not found, you will not be allowed to continue hunting. You will also not be allowed to shoot at another animal in the process of tracking the wounded animal.

Calling
Archery hunters will greatly increase their odds of making a good shot if they are proficient enough with a diaphragm call to make 1-2 sharp mews. When the elk are bugling, your guide will try to pull a bull by you by making the bull look for the guide who is “talking sexy” to the bull. Sometimes the bull will run when doing this and you will want to stop him with a couple of quick loud cow calls for a shot. Other than that it is best to leave almost all of the calling up to the guide. We will be happy to make recommendations on a particular call such as brand and types of calls. For rifle hunts a standard squeeze call is not a bad idea to keep on your person.

Pre Rut / The Rut / Post Rut
The pre rut typically begins in late August. This is when the bulls break up their bachelor herds and start looking for cows. The elk are somewhat predictable during this period as the cows are still in their summer routines. You will hear bugles early and late when bulls are locating other bulls. During this time of year bugling to locate bulls and moving in on them while cow calling usually works best. This lasts until the first or second week in September, which is when the rut really gets wound up.

During the rut, the herd bull is in charge, as opposed to the rest of the year when the lead cow moves the herd. During the peak of the rut, bulls spend 24 hours a day defending their cows from other bulls and breeding. If the weather is cool you will hear bugles much later in the day, sometimes all day. During this time of year you will be hard pressed to call a herd bull away from his cows, it can be done, but most likely you will call in satellite bulls. The best chances for success will be listening for herd movement and getting in close to set up and call a bull in for a shot. The elk are really wound up now and it is possible to call in multiple satellite bulls from the same herd by making them think a few cows have left the herd bull. It is the most exiting elk hunting you can experience.

The post rut begins when most of the cows have been bread, usually around the last week in September or the first week in October. The bigger herd bulls have lost 100-250 pounds. They are hungry and tired and spend almost all of their time trying to gain that weight back. As with the pre rut you will hear bugles early and late but they really aren’t interested in much more than food. It is still possible to call in eager younger bulls during this period. Hunting the post rut can be very exiting if you locate one of these guys and get him fired up. Best chances at big bulls during this time of year is to set up between feeding and bedding areas as they will move early and late in the day to try and put some weight back on. During cold weather the elk feed heavily, earlier in the afternoon and stay out longer in the morning, giving the hunters great chances at seeing elk.

Cow Hunts
Most of the cow hunts take place later in the year once the snow has pushed them out of the high country. The elk are in large herds and are usually hunted by spot and stalk. This type of hunting is challenging for guide and hunter because they are usually out in the open where all of those eyes, ears, and noses give the elk a distinct advantage.

Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP)
Hunting the VCNP is the best quality elk hunting in the world. The amount of elk in this prime habitat is unbelievable. The bull to cow ratio is the highest in the state and your odds of taking the bull of a lifetime couldn’t be better. Yes there are other places with bigger elk, but the number of 300+ bulls on the VCNP is astounding. When you arrive to hunt the VCNP you will attend an orientation where you will draw to hunt 1 or 2 of 18 sub-units on the VCNP. Most times you and your guide will be the only hunters in up to 8000 acres. Hunting pressure is nonexistent. The elk move from their beds to feeding areas in the morning and evenings which is where you will most likely set up for an ambush during the rifle hunts. During bow season, it is an elk calling festival. The bulls are not call shy and are easily fooled. You can expect 2-3 opportunities a day on bulls called in during the archery season and 1-2 opportunities per day on 300 class bulls under 250 yards during the rifle seasons. Absolutely incredible! This is what you dream of for elk hunting.

A Few Words About Drinking
As a hunting guest you are encouraged to drink heavily. Water that is…. At the altitudes we hunt, altitude sickness (from a dull headache to nausea and respiratory edema) is a likely possibility especially if you are coming from around sea level. Being properly hydrated is the key to being able to hike all day and not get sick. We encourage everyone to have a good time. If you would like to have a few drinks when you get back from hunting please do so. By law JS Outdoors is not allowed to provide any alcoholic beverages to clients, so plan on providing your own if you choose to consume alcohol. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to drink any alcoholic beverages during the day and hunt in the evening. If you would like a couple of beers during the day, that’s fine, but you will not be allowed to hunt for the rest of the day.

JS Outdoors Staff

About the staff
All JS Outdoors employees are the cream of the crop. It is the intention of JS outdoors to give every hunter not just a quality hunt, but, a quality experience. From accommodations to service and meals we strive to be first class. If at any time you have any problem, even if you think it is minor, bring it to the attention of the outfitter or head guide. The matter will be resolved to your liking. Small things can ruin the experience and nobody wants that.

If you have any dietary concerns please inform the outfitter prior to your arrival. We are able to accommodate everyone if we know in advance. Sometimes getting supplies to a remote location however, is difficult, especially once the hunt starts and everyone is busy.

Tips
Please remember your hunting roots here. All JS Outdoors hunts are fair chase, nothing is canned here. Some hunters do go home empty handed, that’s hunting. The entire staff is paid to do a job whether it is guiding, cooking and taking care of the camp or packing out meat. Base you tip on the quality and level of service, not whether you do or do not take an animal. There is no set amount for a tip, if you had a great time and your guide did everything he could do, and the food was great, do what you can. The staff truly appreciates the tips.

Meat and Trophy Care

JS Outdoors responsibility
Once you get an animal down your guide will field dress your animal. If the animal can be loaded whole we will skin it on the meat pole. If the animal must be quartered to pack out most times we skin it to the head, remove the front shoulders, hind quarters, and bone out the back straps and what ever rib and neck meat you may want. Once the meat is taken to the processor or placed in cold storage you are responsible for taking care of the taxidermy, processing and shipping of the meat and antlers/cape.

Using a local Taxidermist
Please consider using a local taxidermist. We can recommend several who all do a great job. The going price for a shoulder mount is around $1000, with delivery times ranging from 6 months to 18 months. For a skull mount plan on spending about $350 or more. For JS Outdoors to crate and ship a split skull and cape we charge $250 plus shipping ($200-$400). To crate and ship an un-split skull and cape (for official B&C Measurements) we charge $650 plus shipping ($300-$650). JS Outdoors will be released of all liability for any damage that may occur during shipping. A deposit of $650 is required prior to departure for any shipping of antlers and capes, with the balance due after the items have been shipped. If you want to use your own taxidermist please have the shipping address and instructions for how the cape is to be preserved for shipping (frozen, salted, borax etc.) before you arrive.

Meat processing/shipping
The going rate for meat processing is $.90/lb of bone in meat (on an average bull plan on getting between 150-250 lbs of boneless meat). If you get your animal early in the hunt you will have time to take care of the processing and make arrangements for shipping. If the meat is completely frozen and packed with dry ice in 2 coolers it can be shipped 3 day (cheapest). If JS Outdoors needs to take care of your processing, a deposit of $400 will be required to process and ship the meat, balance due after shipping. If you drive out, of course, you can take it with you. If you run in to a snag, you can always donate the meat. Additionally, if you are flying, the airlines are pretty good about allowing a couple of 70 qt coolers at 100.00 per cooler to be checked. This seems to be the most cost effective way to get your meat home. Please call prior to departure with your airline to verify.

Airport Pick up
We are happy to pick you up from the airport for a $150.00 (each way) charge, but, we highly recommend that you rent a car at the airport. That way if you are done early or if you need to leave it will be much easier on our staff.

 

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